Eskom and Overstrand Municipality joined forces to install a residential load management (or geyser control) system in Hermanus, Franskraal and Kleinmond. The units were installed to enable the Overstrand Municipality to move a substantial portion of the residential evening peak geyser load to the off-peak period (after 20:00), when there is less strain on the national electricity grid. As part of the regular and necessary testing requirements before the project starts, the University of Cape Town’s Energy Research Centre will now undertake measurement and verification tests.

According to Mr Stephen Muller, Director: Infrastructure and Planning at Overstrand Municipality, the geyser control units in the above areas will be switched off between 18:00 and 20:00 during weekdays as part of the measurement and verification process. It will be switched on starting from 20:00, in a staggered way, to prevent a new peak. These tests will start on 22 September 2014. No more switching will be done between 07:00 – 10:00 am.

The Municipality requests the public to support this initiative; if you do switch off your geyser manually in the morning and back on after returning from work in the afternoon, switch it on as soon as possible after arriving home to allow the geyser to heat the water for use between 18:00 and 20:00. If you do switch it on again in the evening, allow some time after 20:00 to heat the replacement hot water.

The Municipality also requests the public not to tamper with the units or the seals installed. This can lead to a ‘Remedial Action Fee’ according to the Municiality tariff code E 14.

Enquiries can be directed to the Municipality on (028) 313 8111.